4.5 I loved this story. The suspense from page one kept my adhd LOCKED IN BOYY. I felt I was on a side quest on a video game that you can’t get enough of. Loved all the characters. I want more books in this universe. I don’t know what is wrong me with me but any dark fantasy where we have a cool necromancer lmao I eat it up.

My Rating: 4*

For this book, I am 90% certain I am in some alternate version of New Orleans. Honestly, I feel the author could have situated it in the heart of The Big Easy and it would have still made perfect sense. This has the vibes of a magic school mixed with trying to fix a circumstance which took Besa’s father from her.

Besa and her friends, Dickey and Margaret, met each other at their school for magist. Margaret seems to be generally skilled in most things regarding the magist craft, while Dickey can grow to about 15 or 20 feet tall and Besa and her family are skilled in Necromancy. Once Besa’s father is blamed for maiming a bishop, Besa begins dabbling in her father’s work and soon forms The Graveyard club with her friends.

However, the bishop and his hired goons are after the kids and a book they have in their possession. Besa is also out for revenge and, if possible, the release of her father. I think my issue with this book is that it feels a bit disjointed and the story isn’t as smooth as I hoped. I feel like we do quite a bit of nothing at times such as having cake and sleepovers. However, it is a YA book and still has some great friendship moments and teamwork. There’s lots of mystery and adventure to be explored in these pages.

I would say for me this one was just average. I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would considering how keen I was from the synopsis and the gripping cover.

I think my issue is that the writing style was too “historical fiction” vibe for me, it’s not a style I particularly enjoy myself but I feel if you do love that style and are interested in books revolving around different types of magic in a fantasy setting with lots of twists and turns and action, you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

This was a roller-coaster of a ride!

The action and events start from almost the first page at a frantic pace and after that, it never lets up. This feels like multiple books in one, with the characters experiencing adventure after adventure and barely getting to breathe in-between. But they do have lots of cake. The characters by and large are entertaining and enjoyable, albeit not always consistent in their behaviours.

I loved the world but I was a little confused by the relationship between those who had magic and the church - the bishop and many non magic people treat them as heretics and yet in the same pages we find the magic school is run by a 'sister' and that one of the main characters, Margaret, a witch, has a deeply religious mother without any conflict between her family and her faith.

The magic that is sprinkled throughout this book is a true joy to read, the sheer range, the uses in which they are shown. Highly enjoyable.

My main compliant was the ending - in that there isn't really one? The story kind of stops part way without any real resolution or answers to the main story threads that had been laced throughout. I'm not sure if there is going to be a book two, but I really hope so, as there are so many questions left hanging and I am invested in these characters, I want to see what happens next.

Rating: ★★★★☆

The Graveyard Club by K.M. Harrell is a deliciously cute spooky, whimsical ride through a magic-soaked, gothic atmosphere. It’s the kind of book that wraps you in candlelight and shadow, full of wild necromancy, clever kids, ghostly danger, and a whole lot of heart.

There’s an old-soul charm here—rich prose, atmospheric detail, and a magical world that feels strange, untamed, and brimming with hidden rules. The friendships are the heartbeat of the story, grounding all the dark enchantments with warmth, humor, and loyalty.

Perfect for fans of Lockwood & Co. or anyone who craves found family, haunting mystery, and a dash of danger with their magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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